SK Energy plans charge stations for battery cars

SK Energy, the country’s largest oil refiner, will start providing electric-vehicle (EV) charging services at select gas stations in a move to tap into the growing use of battery-powered vehicles.

In the first phase, 10 stations across the country will offer charging for the EVs stating today.

The refinery company said that its outlets will utilize two of the dominant charging methods: CHAdeMO and Combo Charging. Equipped with fast chargers, the EV charging systems are capable of charging Kia Motors Niro 80 percent in 30 minutes.

A Niro has a range of 400 kilometers (248 miles) per charge.

EV chargers in Korea are not easily accessible, as most of them are located near public offices and public parking lots. The Ministry of Environment expects the number of electric cars in the country to grow an average of 15 percent annually and reach three million units by 2030.

Lee Yoon-hee, head of SK Energy’s retail business, said that the company aims to expand the number of gas stations with EV charging services to 20 this year and to 40 next year.